Paper short abstract:

This panel seeks to show the impact of the gynecological cancer in the woman's life; more precisely to make a distinction about this impact between postmenopausal and premenopausal women. Therefore, the paper will assess the situation of pelvic gynecological cancer situation which also puts the women inside life and death concepts.

Paper long abstract:

Gynecological cancer is unusual considering the fact that it's about the feminine sphere. It has several consequences on the life quality of women and induces representations associated with death and life. Not only because the cancer generates a vital risk like most of the cancers, but also because the gynecological cancer places the procreation in this balance of life and death. Indeed, some treatments (such as removal of the uterus or chemotherapy) can cause a mourning of procreation, due to induced menopause.

It's therefore interesting to understand the experiences of this disease (reactions, questioning...) and the perception of death of procreation (the advent of infertility) between women who can no longer give birth and women who still can. Linked to this context of menopause, the impact of gynecologic cancer in women is probably different at the representational level. Therefore, it's necessary to make a comparison, in feminine times (age), between naturally menopausal women and younger women who underwent an induced menopause because of the disease.

Likewise, the gynecological cancer can cause the cessation of sexuality. This can be experienced as the end of the couple relationship. Also, the panel seeks to draw out diverse views and experiences of the gynecological cancer disease in women exposed to different situation (about menopause and sexuality).